Game Time... Northwestern will go for its second straight win as they head to Blair, Neb. to take on the Dana Vikings Saturday afternoon. The Red Raiders are in sixth place in the GPAC with a 7-6 record, 12-11 overall while Dana comes in with a 3-10 conference record, 7-16 overall. Tip-off for the men's game is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
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All-Time Series... The Red Raiders hold a 58-10 all-time advantage in the series, dating back to the 1970 season. Over the last 10 games, Northwestern is 8-2 against Dana, including a 94-76 win on Dec. 5 in Orange City. The Vikings last defeated Northwestern last year, in Orange City, by the score of 77-69.
Earlier Match-Up...Walker Seim matched his career high with 29 points and both Ben Miller and Daniel Van Kalsbeek chipped in 22 as the Raiders defeated Dana 94-76 on Dec. 5 for its eighth straight win. Dana held the early advantage, leading by as much as four (13-9) after a three-pointer by PJ Mallette. Northwestern responded with a barrage of three-pointers that keyed a 15-3 run to go up 24-16 with nine minutes left in the first half. Ryan Stock hit a pair of three-pointers and Walker Seim and Brent Dunkelberger each made one during the run.Coach Korver's squad extended its lead to as much as 10 (42-32) until Dana scored the final five points of the half to put the score at 42-37 at intermission.
Northwestern opened the second half with eight straight points, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers by Ben Miller, and led 50-37 with 17 minutes left to play. Dana rallied with a 10-0 spurt and after a basket by Alex McCleary, cut the Raider lead to just one, 55-54. Northwestern answered back, however, and pushed the lead back to 12 behind the play of Miller, who scored 11 points over a five minute stretch to put the score at 76-64. The Raiders outscored Dana 18-12 the rest of the way to earn its eighth straight win, 94-76.
The Raiders made a season-high 14 three-pointers, shooting 47% from beyond the arc. Seim led the way with 29 points and made 5-of-12 three-pointers. Van Kalsbeek recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 22 points and a team-high 14 rebounds. Miller scored a career-high 22 points, converting 4-of-5 three-point attempts. Ryan Stock chipped in a career-best 11 points off the bench. Mike Vorwald dished out nine assists.
Dana News and Notes...With five conference games left in the regular season, the Vikings are tied for 12th in the 13-team league with a 3-10 record. Since the new year, Dana is 2-6 with wins over USF (77-68) and Nebraska Wesleyan (87-64) and losses to Concordia, Hastings, Doane, Dordt, Dakota Wesleyan and Midland Lutheran (81-73) last time out. They are 7-16 overall.
Despite a 25-point performance from guard Jake Brandl, Dana suffered its second straight loss, falling to Midland Lutheran 81-73 in Blair, Neb. Wednesday night. The Vikings went 12-for-35 from beyond the arc for 34%. Brandl made 7-of-14 three-point attempts and Danny Peterson made 3-of-7 three-pointers en route to an 11-point night. AJ Arkfeld added 14 points and dished out three assists.
Head Coach Chris Fear, in his 10th season at Dana, returns two starters and five letterwinners off a 2008-09 team that tied for eighth in the GPAC with an 8-10 record, 15-15 overall. Jake Brandl, a 6-2 guard, returns for his final season and leads the Vikings averaging 11 points per game. He ranks fifth in the GPAC with 55 three-pointers, shooting 36% from beyond the arc. AJ Arkfeld, another senior guard, is the other starter returning and averages just under 10 points per game. He leads the Vikings with 77 assists and ranks 10th in the GPAC with 40 three-pointers. Another senior, Danny Peterson, averages nearly 11 points per game and has also made 40 three-pointers. Taylor Oltjenbruns anchors the front court and averages 10.6 points and a team-best 7.6 boards per game.
As a team, Dana leads the GPAC with 205 three-pointers (8.9 per game). They average 74 points per game and are giving up nearly 79.
Red Raider Notes... Northwestern is in sole possession of sixth place at 7-6 with five GPAC games left in the regular season. They are 12-11 overall. Last time out on Feb. 3, the Red Raiders cruised to an 81-59 win over Mount Marty, their second win over the Lancers this season. Coach Korver's squad went on a 15-0 first half run to open up a double-digit lead at the half (36-25). Northwestern pulled away from the Lancers with a 21-4 run to start the second half and went on to record its seventh win in the GPAC. Daniel Van Kalsbeek made 10-of-14 field goal attempts and scored 20 or more points for the 10th time this season. Walker Seim scored all of his 12 points in the second half and Ben Miller added 10 for the Raiders. Stuart Goslinga scored eight and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds off the bench. Northwestern shot 54% from the field and outrebounded the Lancers, 41-34.
The Red Raiders continue to lead the GPAC in scoring, averaging nearly 85 points per game. One of the top shooting teams in the league, Coach Korver's squad is shooting 46% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.
Daniel Van Kalsbeek is the leading scorer in the GPAC, scoring 19.5 points per game. He ranks ninth in both rebounding (6.9) and field goal percentage (54%). The freshman has scored in double figures in all but one game and has registered four double-doubles. Walker Seim is third in the GPAC in scoring (18.8) and ranks fourth in the NAIA with 83 three-pointers. The sharp-shooting sophomore is shooting 46% from beyond the arc and has knocked down 102 three-pointers in his career as a Red Raider. Ben Miller is the third NWC player scoring in double figures (11.8) and ranks in the GPAC's top 10 in rebounding (6.6). Brent Dunkelberger comes off the bench to score 8.3 points per game while Ryan Hoogeveen averages 8.0 points per game. Ryan Stock (7.0, 26 three-pointers) and Mike Vorwald (3.1, 111 assists) round out the top scorers for Coach Korver's squad.
Up Next...Northwestern will host Morningside on Wednesday night (Feb. 10) at 8:00 pm.
2009-10 Media Guide
